Brain initiative a unique opportunity for San Diego

At the same time, new technologies of this sort carry a serious obligation for careful ethical consideration, consideration of which needs to be an integral part of any research effort to ensure a high standard of integrity and respect for our humanness.

Beyond science, technology and economic activity, this new hybrid world of neuroscience/cognitive science/engineering/physical sciences will train a new generation of scientists and engineers at ease in multiple disciplines. These young people will be capable of achieving an innovative synthesis across the different fields, helping to enhance our competitiveness.

The San Diego region is famous for being one of the most open, collaborative environments anywhere, with the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine as only the most recent example. Just like the Sanford Consortium, success is not a foregone conclusion, but the vast potential benefits justify the effort.

The BRAIN Initiative gives us a fertile opportunity to achieve new levels of collaboration among San Diego and California research institutions. We now need the support of our state government and the private sector to realize this potential.

Greenspan, professor of biology and cognitive science at UC San Diego, is founding director of the campus’s Center for Brain Activity Mapping.